PLOT 22 is many people!

Please bear with us whilst we create this page.

Louise Symington - Grow & PLay Project Lead.

I AM a MOTHER aND Registered Dietitian WITH a Masters Degree in food sustainability. I HAVE worked for the NHS, National Trust and Campaign for Natural England. I'm excited ABOUT connectING people with food growing AND particularly interested in outdoors learning and child development. I love watching the children tasting the fruit and veg they have grown!

MAMI HOULTON - Facilitator fOR GRow & PLAy and CommUnity Sundays

I am a mother and qualified in Early years Childcare. Plot 22 and Emma really helped me when my son was small So I wanted to keep the groupS going for children and mothers to feel free and connect to nature. I am also A keen Gardener And now have My own allotment Too..

RITA GArNER - COmmunity SUnDAYs PROJECT LEAD

I have worked as a community pharmacist and then a senior manager in the NHS and Adult Social Care. I also work as a coach and facilitator with the Recess College with individuals and small groups. I am a Director of Brighton and Hove Community Land Trust. I have had an allotment for more than 10 years. I want to support people to get involved in gardening and cooking together, getting people closer to the the land and the food we eat. Being outdoors in good company is the best medicine!

With a background working in Adult Social Care, I run a social enterprise called Story Chaplain which is made up of a collection of creative arts projects for people who are living with dementia, their carers, and everyone. I have a particular interest in 'words for wellbeing' and love to see how words can help people experience moments of connection with one another, the outdoors and the seasons. Rain or shine, D.I.G is a highlight of my month.

YVONNE MCDERMOTT - VOLUNTEER

I am a freelance landscape consultant AND have been coming to Plot 22 for years Because I enjoy the unique collaborative approach. I HelP Streamline the Veg growing and HAvE experimentEd with some wacky edibles! AS FORMER co-lead OF Thyme & Space for women survivors of sexual abuse and assault I helpED PARTICIPANTS awaken to the grounding and empowering effects of nature.

JANET TIbble - LAdy Garden volunteer & Mason Bee CHAMPION

Five years ago I decided to dedicate time to volunteering, I chose plot 22 but really, it chose me. Since that time I have added to the list of my abilities: bath bomb making to looking after plot bees! We grow, cook and eat our harvest whilst having lively discussion. Each session bringing its own interests and sometimes, challenges which is, for me, just great.

CharloTTe Semlyen - CHAIR of Trustees

I'm a Coach and Facilitator working with charities, arts organisations and individuals. I previously worked in arts management, where I gained experience in governance, finance, fundraising and partnership working. I started coming to Plot 22 with my family in 2012, and really value the connection with nature and with other people that I experience here.

JenNie Smith PLOT 22 TRustee & D.I.G FAcilitator

I'Ve Been volunteering At various sessions sInce 2013 ANd IN 2016 became a Trustee. I love PLOT 22's Combination of Nature, Food growing, cooking, creativity, community... Endless possibilities. This Year I've Been Co-HostINg D.I.G Sessions And JUST RECENTLY started a Two year course in CountrySide Management.

Harriet Anderson - Lady Garden & Summer Care Taking VOlunteer

When I moved to Brighton a few years ago I knew I wanted to spend more time being active outdoors and develop a different relationship to the land than I had had before. Plot 22 has given me that and much more. I've discovered that caring for a shared, beautiful space is also one of the most peaceful ways of connecting with other people. And I've learnt quite a few practical skills as well.

S|mon Rowledge - TRUSTEE

I have been working in Countryside management /Conservation for the last 15 years And have always had a connection to the outdoors. In my time as a ranger I have supported a number of community projects professionally so I understand the importance of groups such as Plot 22 and their need for volunteer support. I AM really impressed with the ethos of Plot 22.

KATIE DENNIs - EARTHWORKS PROJECT LEAD

I am part of the Counselling team at the Martlets Hospice and I run Earthworks AT PLOT 22, a weekly space for bereaved men to meet and share their experiences. Working in and with nature brings it's own forms of healing. In my spare time, I love gardening, travelling and walking.

Nicola Keen - COre Volunteer & Site Maintenance Session Lead

Working in an office I VALUE THE chance to get away from the screens in a quiet, unhurried and welcoming place. Each visit is different, whether it's the seasons changing, something new to harvest, developing a skill or craft, or meeting different people. behind the scenes I ENJOY SUPPORTING THE PROJECT IN A VARIETY OF WAYS FROM social media TO site maintenance.

Terry Clegg - TREASURER & Trustee

I learnt how to garden with my grandparents at aN early age. Even then I was getting to understand the value that being in contact with the environment has, and I have carried that with me throughout my working life. My background is varied and has, at times, been ‘demanding’, but wherever I have been in the world I have tried to get outside for at least a small amount of time, which has always energised and eased my thoughtS. I learnt about plot22 when I took on an allotment of my own and was taken by the commitment of the founder and volunteers. Volunteering to help occasionally was easy to do, as was saying yes when asked if interested in becoming a trustee. The work the whole team carries out is immensely valuable, and I am proud to play a small part in that work.

EMMA HOULDSWORTH - FOUNDER/Director

HAVING INITIALLY ESTABLISHED PLOT 22 in 2010 AS A THERAPEUTIC community PROJEcT, My ROLE NOW INVOLVES COORDINATING, supporting And DEvelopING THE ACTIVITIES OF OUR GROWING CHARITY and HOLDING THE VISION. I LOVE HOW SO MANY PEOPLE NOW CARE FOR THIS SMALL PIECE OF LAND, THEIR STORIES WEAVING TOGETHER TO BECOME PART OF THE PLOT 22 STORY.

Bunty Dann - Trustee

I AM a Human Givens Psychotherapist. MY experience includes over 12 years managing a project FOr people affected by homelessness, developing and delivering workshops and courses for mentoring, coaching and getting back into work; learning the craft of Stand Up (very scary!); being a director of two social enterprises; providing business consultancy to creative businesses; providing arts project management with museum and galleries in the South; training as a youth worker; project managing youth audience development for performing art centres and training as an artist.

Christine Kavanagh - voluntEer & Former Trustee

I was a Trustee and Chair of the first committee formed early in 2015 for Plot22 to go forward and successfully be granted Charitable status. My first involvement with the Plot was from the previous year through my work at Conway Court Children’s Centre, supporting a group of families without access to a garden, who were keen to find a growing space to enjoy with their young children. It was such a lucky and lovely gift for us all to find the welcoming urban oasis of Plot22. Since then, the original family gardening group of Nature’s Nippers has expanded and developed into the popular Grow & Play sessions led by local parents with a passion for children to have fun and enjoy being in a natural space while learning about growing their own fruits and vegetables. It is beautiful to see the continuing growth and expansion of the Plot itself and the many groups and individuals benefitting from such a precious community space as Plot 22. May it continue to “Live Long and Prosper!”